In every marriage or partnership, there’s usually one person who handles most of the financial details. They’re the ones who know which bills are on autopay, where the life insurance policy is stored, and how to log into every account. That person may or may not be the primary breadwinner — but they’re often the one quietly keeping the household running.
At Vick Law, we meet with families every week who are grieving and trying to untangle finances, passwords, and paperwork they’ve never had to manage before. Many times, the surviving spouse or children say the same thing:
“They handled everything. I don’t even know where to start.”
The truth is, when the “money person” passes away or becomes incapacitated, the loss goes beyond emotional pain — it can leave a family struggling to access accounts, pay bills, or even locate key documents.
That’s where estate planning makes all the difference. Scroll to the bottom if you just want to see the checklist.
Estate Planning Isn’t Just for Wealthy Families
You don’t need millions to need a plan. You just need people who depend on you — and a desire to make things easier for them when you’re gone.
With a well-organized estate plan, you can:
- Ensure your spouse or children can access bank accounts and pay immediate expenses.
- Prevent unnecessary court involvement through powers of attorney and trusts.
- Avoid confusion and conflict among family members.
- Provide clear instructions for funeral wishes, obituary details, and personal notes.
- Protect your home and savings from nursing home spend-down through Medicaid planning.
Vick Law Can Help You Prepare
At Vick Law in Greenwood, Indiana, we help families create clear, legally sound plans that protect what matters most — your people, your home, and your peace of mind.
We’ll walk you through everything step by step:
- Reviewing all accounts and assets
- Creating wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
- Building a simple system so your loved ones know exactly where things are
- Helping you prepare your Vick Law Family Legacy Box — a practical tool to keep everything organized and accessible when it matters most
No family should ever have to search through drawers or guess at passwords in the middle of grief. Let’s make sure yours never has to. Schedule a consultation today to start building your Legacy Box and protecting your family’s future. Contact Vick Law in Greenwood, Indiana today.
Vick Law Family Legacy Preparation Checklist
Step 1: Core Legal Documents
[ ] Last Will and Testament
[ ] Revocable or Irrevocable Trust
[ ] Financial Power of Attorney
[ ] Healthcare Power of Attorney
[ ] Living Will / Advance Healthcare Directive
[ ] Property Deeds and Titles (home, land, vehicles)
[ ] Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificates
[ ] Adoption Papers (if applicable)
[ ] Military Records (DD-214 or equivalent)
Step 2: Financial & Asset Information
[ ] List of All Bank Accounts (with institution names)
[ ] Retirement Accounts (401(k), IRA, pension, annuities)
[ ] Investment & Brokerage Accounts
[ ] Life Insurance Policies
[ ] Health, Auto, and Home Insurance Policies
[ ] Credit Cards, Loans, and Liabilities
[ ] Business or LLC Ownership Documents
[ ] Safe Deposit Box Info & Key Location
[ ] Crypto Wallet or Digital Asset Instructions
[ ] Inheritance (think land or assets you may have been willed)
Step 3: Digital Access & Passwords
[ ] Password Manager or Secure Password List
[ ] Email Accounts and Login Info
[ ] Online Banking and Bill Pay Logins
[ ] Utilities (water, power, internet, phones)
[ ] Subscription Logins - Yes, all of them (Amazon, Netflix, HelloFresh, etc.)
[ ] Phone Passcode or Access Instructions
[ ] Cloud Storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.)
[ ] Social Media Instructions (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
Step 4: Final Wishes & Personal Information
[ ] Funeral and Burial or Cremation Instructions
[ ] Obituary Notes or Draft
[ ] List of People to Notify (family, friends, church, employer)
[ ] Organ Donation or Memorial Preferences
[ ] Letters to Loved Ones or Personal Notes
[ ] Family Recipes, Photos, or Stories to Pass Down
[ ] Favorite Scriptures, Hymns, or Readings
Step 5: Key Contacts
[ ] Attorney Name, Firm, and Contact Info
[ ] Financial Advisor or Planner
[ ] Accountant or Tax Preparer
[ ] Insurance Agent
[ ] Executor or Trustee
[ ] Primary Care Doctor / Specialists
[ ] Pastor or Spiritual Leader
Step 6: Storage & Security
[ ] Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof safe
[ ] Keep digital copies on an encrypted flash drive or secure cloud
[ ] Give one trusted person access and clear instructions
[ ] Review and update at least once per year or after major life events
A well-prepared Family Legacy Box gives clarity, love, and peace of mind. When your family knows where everything is and what your wishes are, they can focus on what truly matters— remembering you and carrying on your legacy.
Vick Law can help you gather, organize, and legally protect every item on this list.
Schedule a consultation today to start building your Legacy Box and protecting your family’s future.
Contact Vick Law in Greenwood, Indiana today.
Greenwood, Indiana | (317) 884-3133 | vicklaw.org
